CONDENCED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 4 February 1902, Page 2

CONDENCED CABLEGRAMS.

Ths Transvaal.

DE WET.

Twenty-three columns are operating against De Wet.

A STIFF STRUGGI|E. Particulars of the action ' which resulted in the capture of Commandant Sfcrydon at Frankfort, thirty miles east of Heilbron, on the 2£th ult., show that Colonel Wilson's assailants numbered nine hundred.

The British advanced party of two hundred was surrounded and under a heavy fire. They charged through and regained the column. Colonel Wilson then fought for fourteen miles along the ridges to Frankfort, and with difficulty escaped being surrounded.

MINOR ACTIVITIES. '

General French dispersed Fouche’s commando in the north-east of Cape Colony, capturing ytwenty-six of the enemy. , Major Driscoll captured seventeen Boers, including Field-cornets Venter and Grobbelaar at .Makawsdrift. Grobbelaar subsequently died of wounds.

Mouwindt’s (? Neuwhondt’s (commando attacked Colonel Du Moulin’s column at Abraham’s Kraal on Tuesday. A sharp action followed, in which Colonel Du Moulin had eight of the Sussex Regiment killed and seven wounded. The Boers were repulsed with loss.

BOERS STORING SUPPLIES.

Commandant Maritz is storing great quantities of supplies in Bushmansland, a dry, waterless country

north-west of the Gape, and fall of obstacles to military operations.

THE EUROPEAN PRESS.

There is a consensus of newspaper opinion that European > journals imagined that Great Britain was tired of the war, and would snatch at any chance of peace, in view of the approaching coronation ceremonies. Papers in Europe are beginning to denounce the obstinacy of Mr Kruger and Dr Leyds. M. da Blowitz, the Paris correspondent of “ The Times,” attributes this obstinacy to a desire to convince the commandoes that England must now face, besides the Boer resistance, the moral suasion of Europe. A HISTORIAN CONVERTED.

Professor Delbruck, the historian, has altered his views regarding the war. He disproves Boer stories, and declares that there is an Increasing disposition in Germany to recognise the gallantry and humanity of the British troops. He Severely condemns Miss Hobhouse. , POLICY TOWARDS NATIVES: A Blue Book issued foreshadows that Lord Milner will adopt a policy of kindness and firmness towards the natives, compelling them to observe contracts, and shows his determination' to suppress drinking. COST OF THE WAR. In a thin House a supply vote was carried by 159 votes to 56. The supplementary vote of five millions for the war was also passed. . Mr Brodrick, Secretary of State for War, explained that the monthly expenses of the war had fallen by a million. The new meat supply contract, owing to the more settled condition of South Africa affording greater facilities for the distribution of meat at three-halfpence a pound cheaper, would represent a saving In 190 a of bet weed six and seven hundred thousand pounds. Lord Kitchener, he continued, expected to save 30 per cent, in local supplies, while the Cape, in attaining control of its own forces, saved Great Britain a quarter of a million monthly. The blockhouses had hampered the Boers, and enhanced Lord Kitchener’s prospect of bringing to action the three chief groups of commandoes. Criticism v by members was chiefly directed to the subject of remounts. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman praised the conduct of the troops in the field. Mr Brodrick announced that there were *37,800 troops in the field ou January istMEDIATION REJECTED.

The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour announced in the House of Commons that Britain’s reply to Dr. A. Kuyper, Premier of the Netherlands, on the subject of the cessation of hostilities would reach the Hague to-day. The communication will be cabled at au early date. The Daily News says there are indications that Dr. Kuyper sent word that his Government would be willing to act as a friendly negotiator, and strive to induce the abandonment by the Boers of their demand for independence. Mr Chamberlain replied that the advances must emanate from the Boers. Dr. Kuyper later wrote to the Marquis of Lansdowne, British Minister for Foreign Affairs, extending the offer of negotiation as between the Boers in Europe and the Boers in the field.

The 11 Daily Telegraph" understands that Lord Lansdowne’s reply was a courteous assertion that, owing to the lack of authorisation to speak for the Boers, and the absence of tangible proposals, Dr Kayper’s suggestions were unserviceable even as a basis for negotiations. The entire Cabinet sat tor two and a half hours, and adopted the committee’s reply to the offer of Dr. Kuyper to mediate for peace. The rejection of Dr. Kuyper’s mediation is attributed to the absence of credentials which would be binding on the Boers, there being no evidence that they desired Dr Kuyper’s mission. MISCELLANEOUS.

Field-Marshal Lord Roberts inspected reinforcements amounting to six thousand men which are leaving Aldershot for South Africa.

Nine militia battalions are being embodied for service. Mr Chamberlain stated in the House of Commons that, a Legislative Council will be appointed in the Transvaal when practicable, according to the state of the country and the progress of military operations.

Latest.

REMINGTON'S SUCCESS.

Colonel Bimington on Thursday surprised a laager north of the Orange River, and captured twentytwo of the enemy ana sixteen waggons of provisions. BOER RECRUITS. Three hundred have' joined Yilonee’s Scouts during the week. Many surrendering burghers are requesting to be permitted to retain arms ana horses for the purpose. NEW ZEALAND DEATHS. The deaths are reported of Thomas Drenhon, Seventh New Zealanders, from chloroform poisoning, and Sergt. William Moore, Sixth New Zealanders, from enteric. TO THE DREGS. Mr Fischer, interviewed, asserted that Mr Steyn, m a recent order to the commandos, stated, “We will drain the cup to the dregs, though we believe in our final success of operations against the Wazitis. They are arduous, and it will, mean a good deal of hard fighting.” BRITISH CASUALTIES. A hundred British casualties have been reported since November, and one thousand sick in the hospital.